The Cathedral of Kohima (Mary Help of Christians Church) is the church of the bishop of the diocese of Kohima, and hence, the main church of this diocese of

Nagaland Nagaland () is a landlocked state in the northeastern region of India. It is bordered by the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh to the north, Assam to the west, Manipur to the south and the Sagaing Region of Myanmar to the east. Its capital cit ...

, India. The church is noted for its architecture which incorporates many elements of traditional Naga houses, including its facade which resembles that of a Naga house. The architecture of the cathedral blends into the hill on which it is situated. The 16 feet high carved wood crucifix is one of Asia's largest crosses. The cathedral was conceptualised by the first bishop of Kohima, Abraham Alangimattathil. The cathedral complex also contains Bishop Alangimattathil's tomb. The construction commenced in 1986 and the church was consecrated in January 1991. The three-crore expense for constructing the cathedral was mostly funded by

Japanese people The are an East Asian ethnic group native to the Japanese archipelago."人類学上は，旧石器時代あるいは縄文時代以来，現在の北海道〜沖縄諸島（南西諸島）に住んだ集団を祖先にもつ人々。" () Jap ...

who wished to construct a monument to the Japanese soldiers who died in the Battle of Kohima during the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

. For this reason, the following quote is engraved in the environs of the cathedral: :''"...It is with thankfulness that we heard that a Catholic Cathedral was built at Kohima, where Mass would be offered every morning in the memory of the fallen..."'' There is also another inscription near the entrance to the building: :''"When you enter in here, bring before the Lord all those who gave their life and who will give their all, for your safer and better Nagaland."'' The cathedral was used as the venue for reconciliation meetings between the Japanese and British veterans who fought each other during the war. KOHIMA CATHEDRAL

References

External links

{{commons, Mary Help of Christians Cathedral, Kohima, Mary Help of Christians Cathedral, Kohima
GCatholic.org
Roman Catholic cathedrals in India Kohima Buildings and structures in Kohima Churches in Nagaland 1989 establishments in Nagaland Roman Catholic churches completed in 1991 20th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in India Tourist attractions in Kohima